HDMI Matrix Switches With 4K On The Way

New York – The first HDMI matrix switchers with the ability to switch 4K Ultra High-Definition signals will make their presence known at the CEDIA Expo from such companies as Wyrestorm, Zigen and DVDO.

DVDO plans to show the new Matrix6, which will be available in the fourth quarter at a suggested $499. The Matrix6 is promoted as the first dedicated matrix switcher with MHL-enabled HDMI inputs.

The Matrix6 is positioned as a single-room solution or a solution for two adjacent rooms. It features six HDMI inputs, two of which are MHL-enabled, and two HDMI outputs to enable two simultaneous 4K streams from one source to two TVs or projectors in a room. It also distributes two separate 4K sources to two separate displays. The device lacks HDBaseT technology to send HDMI over long distances throughout the house via Category cable.

The DVDO device is targeted to commercial locations such as sports bars but also to residential customers who like to watch two sports games simultaneously, a spokesman said. The device is also targeted to consumers who use a flat-screen TV in a room to watch select programs and a video projector in the same room to watch other programs, such as blockbuster movies, in a darker setting.

For its part, Zigen will show five new HDMI matrix switchers with 4K capability. The HAX-1616 and HAX-88 ship Feb.1, and the HX-1616, HX-88, and HX-44 ship Nov. 1. All five feature HDBaseT, and the HAX models add audio matrix switching.

At the Wyrestorm booth, the company will show its first 4K matrix switchers, which will be available in the first quarter. Details were unavailable.

For his part, HydraConnect president David Schanin said his current HDMI matrixes and a new model appearing at the Expo don’t support 4K, given that the required chip sets “are just in the sampling mode.” But, he added, “I expect by the end of the year to start seeing 4K switchers from us as well as other manufacturers.”